Trial scheme puts caravans in the slow lane

Holidaymakers heading for the West Country this summer will be offered some respite from the traffic jams caused by caravans and trucks occupying the fast lane of the M5 motorway.

By Jeremy Skidmore

12:01AM BST 17 Jul 2004

Holidaymakers heading for the West Country this summer will be offered some respite from the traffic jams caused by caravans and trucks occupying the fast lane of the M5 motorway.

From the end of July, the Highways Agency will, for a trial period, advise that all towed trailers stay on the inside lane southbound between junctions 19 and 20 of the M5.

The stretch of motorway near Portishead, north Somerset, is notorious for congestion, particularly during the school holidays.

The restrictions will operate from 4pm to 8pm on Fridays and between 8am and 2pm on Saturdays, from July 30 to August 29. The scheme is voluntary and not enforceable by law.

A spokesman for The Caravan Club said it did not welcome the experiment but understood it was only on a trial basis. "The Club's concern is that many well-matched and well-driven caravan outfits may be held up unnecessarilly," he said. "Heavy trucks are fitted with 56mph speed limiters, whereas many car/caravan outfits are comfortably capable of maintaining their maximum speed of 60mph uphill."